Last modified: Tuesday, April 17, 2007
African American Choral Ensemble to present its spring concert on April 28
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2007
Editors: For other print-quality photos, go to https://www.indiana.edu/~aaai/ACEpics.html
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The African American Choral Ensemble of Indiana University's African American Arts Institute will present its annual spring concert on April 28 at 8 p.m. at the Ruth N. Halls Theatre, 275 N. Jordan Ave, Bloomington.
Joy, sorrow, reflection and celebration -- the rich and varied traditions of African American choral music performed by the African American Choral Ensemble -- resonate with the complexities of the Black American experience. The ensemble features a broad repertoire including spirituals, folk forms, traditional and contemporary gospel music, and formally-composed works by African American composers.
Three contemporary gospel groups were established to honor and preserve the vocal traditions of Black gospel music, as components of the African American Choral Ensemble. The all-male group Soul-ACE, all-female group Sojourner and the mixed-voice ensemble God's Progress have opened for such legendary performers as The Blind Boys of Alabama and Ray Charles.
Choral Ensemble Director Keith McCutchen is a composer, arranger, pianist and choral director well-known for his arrangements and compositions of religious choral music. His music has been recorded by the American Spiritual Ensemble and the St. Olaf Choir. McCutchen also is an accomplished jazz pianist who has performed with Mel Tormé, bassist Richard Davis and drummer Eric Gravatt.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and students. Tickets are available at the IU Auditorium Box Office. For ticket information, call 812-855-1103 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. For more information and a calendar of AAAI events, visit the African American Arts Institute Web site at www.indiana.edu/~aaai.
The African American Arts Institute is the only collegiate arts program with an emphasis in African American performance traditions through credit-bearing ensembles. Over 32 years the AAAI has made a vital contribution to the cultural diversity of IU by preserving, promoting and celebrating African American arts traditions. The institute's current executive director is .Charles E. Sykes.
